Job Title:
Director, Operations Excellence
Company: Krispy Kreme
Location: Lanse, MI
Created: 2026-04-15
Job Type: Full Time
Job Description:
Since its founding in 1937, Krispy Kreme's focus has remained the same- making fresh doughnuts using our founder's original recipe. The brand's iconic Hot Light lets consumers know when doughnuts are being made in the shop so they can stop in and enjoy them hot, right off the line. Krispy Kreme's Director of Operations Excellence leads the teams and systems that enable operational excellence across U.S. company and franchise shops. This role is responsible for building and sustaining SOPs, simplifying field communications, and removing complexity for shop operators so they can focus on delivering exceptional Krispy Kremer and guest experiences. This leadership role has a direct impact on operational performance, scalability, and long-term business growth. A TASTE OF WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING: Operations Services Leadership * Provides leadership to all operations services team members by holding them accountable to their job description and company targets. * Developing strategic business plans and proposing effective implementation methods. * Communicating effectively with company leadership and colleagues across departments. * Overseeing departmental performance and aligning priorities with broader organizational goals. * Serve as a key support function for all field operators and support center stakeholders. Operational Development & Efficiency * Own and manage key programs that continuously improve current systems based on feedback and observations. * Drive operational efficiency and execution across retail, manufacturing, and commercial areas through approaches such as LEAN methodology. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) * Manage the SOP program, leading the review process and leading teams to develop SOPs through the Global Operations Advisory Team. * Ensure the global standards portal contains updated content and is housed in a user-friendly platform. Project Oversight * Take responsibility for select project oversight that supports global teams. * Coordinate project timelines with various departments and Operations Services team members Internal & External Guest Experience * Design processes and procedures that eliminate complexity for Krispy Kremers, regardless of role. * Design processes and procedures ensuring delivery of a high-quality guest experience on every channel. Procedures & Calendarization * Create, implement, and maintain effective in-house procedures. * Oversee enterprise US company calendar to ensure balance between major and minor initiatives. * Work cross functionally with stakeholders to ensure calendar alignment is maintained on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. * Operational Improvement * Manage aspects of the US Audit Program cross-functionally with QA leaders to elevate operational excellence at the shop level. * Facilitate the development and implementation of strategies and improvement efforts across all levels of Krispy Kreme operations with simplification in mind. * Work cross-functionally with procurement and development to ensure all equipment and smallwares is functional and maximizes efficiency and effectiveness. * Work cross-functionally with shop design, manufacturing, and engineering to ensure shops are designed to be operationally functional, effective and efficient for the end user operators. Stakeholder Alignment * Ensure company support aligns with the needs of the business. * Collaborate with Support Center department leaders to ensure plans are set, and needs are met by the team. Financial & Business Focus * Make decisions and take actions with sales, profits, and company growth in mind. * Develops strategies that positively impact key business results, team member and guest experiences, and financial performance. YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: * 5+ years of business experience, multi-unit, or leadership roles * Field leadership experience (district manager/director level) preferred * Strong communication & writing skills * Strategic, innovative problem-solving with an operator-first mindset * Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office * Data-driven decision-making with a collaborative approach * Proactive, resourceful, and detail-oriented with strong business acumen * Collaboration, influencing, and relationship-building skills * Effective prioritization, workload management, and team leadership * High integrity and commitment to ethical operations * Passion for customer experience & Krispy Kreme brand * Knowledge of audit principles and techniques * Ability to meet pre-employment screening requirements * The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job and are not the official job description for the position. The official job description will be provided during the application/interview process. BENEFITS: * Comprehensive benefits (medical, vision, and dental insurance) * Employee discount program * 401K plan * Generous PTO Plan * Company events * Education Reimbursement * Adoption Assistance * Life Insurance * FSA/HSA Plans * Pet Insurance Learn more at WHY KRISPY KREME? At Krispy Kreme, we focus on: * Loving People:? * Our global culture is best captured by our Leadership Mix, a dozen behaviors that define how we work with one another across the world and give back to our communities. Check out our leadership mix here. * Belonging happens once each Krispy Kremer knows their bold authentic self is welcomed, dignified, and loved, where their wonderfully original identities flourish and thrive. * Loving Communities:? * At Krispy Kreme, sharing joy is at the center of everything we do, and we strive to inspire this in our communities. Our brand purpose truly shines through our Acts of Joy and community fundraising initiatives. * In the U.S., we have been donating unsold doughnuts to local food banks, with a goal of bringing a smile to our consumers as they enjoy a small, sweet treat. We partner with Feeding America and Convoy of Hope, who in turn partner with organization nationwide to distribute donations to people in need through diverse types of programs and services. * In 2022, we helped community groups raise $40 million globally. Last year in the U.S., we supported more than 83,000 fundraising events, raising nearly $37 million. * Loving Planet:? * We have been conducting a multi-year global GHG emissions assessment to establish an emissions baseline, using this foundation to soon set goals for greenhouse gas emission reductions. * We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs. Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality sweetens our recipe. We value the diverse ingredients of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, gender, intersex, or veteran status of every individual. We strive for an inclusive culture that allows each of our peeps to bring their bold authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability. About Krispy Kreme Headquartered in Charlotte, NC., Krispy Kreme is one of the most beloved and well-known sweet treat brands in the world. Our iconic Original Glazed doughnut is universally recognized for its hot-off-the-line, melt in-your-mouth experience. Krispy Kreme operates in more than 35 countries through its unique network of fresh doughnut shops, partnerships with leading retailers, and a rapidly growing Ecommerce and delivery business with more than 14,000 fresh points of access. Our purpose of touching and enhancing lives through the joy that is Krispy Kreme guides how we operate every day and is reflected in the love we have for our people, our communities and the planet. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at or on one of its many social media channels, including /KrispyKreme and /KrispyKreme.